Rolex--Golf2021-Presskitenglish.Pdf
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rolex anD golf forever golf Rolex is committed to the permanent quest for excellence in all its endeavours and has been a long-term supporter of golf in its pursuit of the same. The brand’s enduring relationship with the game began more than 50 years ago, in 1967, with Arnold Palmer, joined by Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. Known together as The Big Three, these legendary players changed the face of golf forever, and their partnership with Rolex marked the beginning of a relationship based on a commitment to continu ous improvement and unwavering precision. Since then, the affiliation between Rolex and golf has grown into one with a global reach. Rolex is now part of the very fabric of golf and supports the game at all levels, including elite players and legends of the game, Major cham- pionships, the foremost professional tours and the world’s leading team competitions. Rolex’s support for golf is governed by underlying values of integrity and respect for tradition that ensure the continuity of exper- tise and knowledge, while understanding the importance of investing in the development of the sport for future generations. As such, the Swiss watchmaker extends its support to amateur tournaments, international federations and organizations representing golfers of all ages. The as- sociation between Rolex and golf stands for quality, elegance, reliability and a pioneering spirit. 1 HISTORY of ROLEX AND GOLF p. 4 3ICONIC EVENTS p. 14 2ROLE X AT THE HEART OF GOLF p. 8 5PARTNERSHIPS AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE GAME p. 38 INDIVIDUAL 4EXCELLENCE p. 24 MEDIA CONTAC TS p. 44 menu 1 2 3 4 5 4 1 history of Rolex and golf Spanning more than five decades, Rolex’s support for golf is one of the most enduring and successful partnerships in sport. Such longevity is a mark of the brand’s commitment to the ancient game. menu 1 2 3 4 5 history of rolex and golf 5 Arnold Palmer “The most rewarding things you do in life are often the ones that look like they cannot be done.” Rolex’s enduring relationship with the game of golf began in 1967 with Arnold Palmer (US), joined by Jack Nicklaus (US) and Gary Player (South Africa). In the 1980s, Rolex added to its growing number of golf partners: prestigious tournaments, The Open and U.S. Open; and the guardians of the traditions and rules of the game, The R&A and USGA, as well as the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). New partnerships with the Masters Tournament, The Ryder Cup and The European Tour were added in the 1990s, as well as selected talent, including Major winners Fred Couples (US), Phil Mickelson (US) and Annika Sörenstam (Sweden). Since 2000, the depth of the relationship has developed further and grown exponentially. Alongside the game’s legends and prodigious talents, Rolex now supports men’s and women’s golf across five continents, as well as tours, federations, organ- izations and competitions, reaching all golfers from junior to senior levels. In 2021, Rolex became the Official Partner and Official Timekeeper of the PGA of America and its flagship event, the PGA Championship, ensuring its presence at all four men’s Majors. menu 1 2 3 4 5 history of rolex and golf 6 ROLEX COUNTS MORE THAN 50 YEARS OF PARTNERSHIP with the game of golf 1967 Rolex’s enduring relationship with 1997 golf was sealed by a pioneering Rolex becomes handshake with Arnold Palmer, Official Timekeeper who became the brand’s first golf of The European Tour Testimonee, joined by Jack Nicklaus 1986 and Gary Player – The Big Three Rolex becomes Official Timekeeper 1980 of the American Junior Golf 1994 Rolex becomes Association Rolex becomes 1999 a partner of the Rolex’s relationship Official Timekeeper USGA, the U.S. Open with the Masters of the Solheim Cup and the LPGA Tournament begins 1995 1981 Rolex becomes Rolex becomes a partner of The Ryder Cup The Open’s first European Team Official Timekeeper menu 1 2 3 4 5 history of rolex and golf 7 2003 2007 Rolex expands its support Rolex becomes Official ® for The Open by becoming Timekeeper of the PGA TOUR a Patron and the World Golf Championships 2017 The Rolex Series is launched in partnership with The European Tour 2006 Rolex becomes 2011 founding sponsor Rolex becomes of the Rolex Official Timekeeper Women’s World 2000 2004 of the Asian Tour Rolex establishes Golf Rankings Rolex partners 2021 a partnership with Rolex becomes the the Rules of Golf The Evian Masters Official Timekeeper (now the Amundi and Official Partner of Evian Championship) the PGA of America, its major championship: The PGA Championship 2012 and becomes Ryder Cup Rolex becomes the Worldwide Partner founding partner of the World Amateur Golf Ranking® and Presenting 2005 Sponsor of the Senior Rolex becomes Open Championship Official Timekeeper of the Presidents Cup™ menu 1 2 3 4 5 8 2 Role x at the heart of golf Rolex and golf share a mutual appreciation for tradition and unfaltering precision, as well as a timeless emphasis on integrity, respect and elegance both on and off the course. St Andrews Scotland the home of golf menu 1 2 3 4 5 rolex at the heart of golf 9 For more than 50 years, the bond between Rolex and competitions, as well as guardians of the global game golf has evolved through pivotal partnerships, which – organizations with the responsibility of advan cing the have further cemented Rolex’s place at the heart of sport. From the R&A, the USGA and the PGA of America, the game. to the Masters, the PGA Tour®, The European Tour, the Rolex is supporting the development of golf LPGA and the Asian Tour, Rolex is ever-present. excellence worldwide at all levels through its associa- tions with gifted players, outstanding tournaments and menu 1 2 3 4 5 rolex at the heart of golf 10 partnerships with governing bodies In 1980, Rolex became a significantly more visible presence in golf across the globe when it formed a new relationship with the USGA – organizer of the U.S. Open, one of golf’s ultimate tests. In 1981, Rolex clocks appeared on a tournament golf course for the first time, at Royal St George’s for The Open, the oldest golf championship in the world. This burgeoning tie with The R&A – organizer of this Major championship – marked a pivotal moment in Rolex’s re- lationship with golf that extended to the AIG Women’s Open. The forging of these early relationships showcased the brand’s commitment to the sport, founded on mutual respect, integrity and competitive spirit. Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: “For 40 years Rolex has played an integral role in the rich history of The Open. Our unwavering relation- ship has actively supported the growth of the modern game and encouraged its development around the world and will continue to do so for years to come.” Together with the USGA, The R&A governs the sport of golf worldwide, sharing a commitment to a sin- gle code for the Rules of Golf, Rules of Amateur Status, the world handicapping system (launched in January 2020), and Equipment Standards. Rolex has been a The Royal and Ancient clubhouse St Andrews Scotland menu 1 2 3 4 5 rolex at the heart of golf 11 Augusta National Golf Club PGA of America USGA Royal & Ancient long-time supporter of these, and salutes the sporting ideals and traditions unique to the game. As Official Timekeeper for their respective champion- ships, Rolex keeps time throughout host venues for spectator and player convenience, but its support is far more extensive. In the 1990s, Rolex forged a relationship with the Masters, the first men’s Major championship of the year, staged annually at the majestic Augusta National Golf Club. Rolex also contributes to the advancement of the game through its support of the Masters Tournament Foundation – a charitable extension of the tournament that invests in development programmes worldwide, promoting the transfer of knowledge and exper- tise down the generations. In 2019, Rolex partnered the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur Championship, featuring for the first time on the iconic Augusta National course, the world’s leading amateur women players. In 2021, Rolex became the Official Timekeeper and Official Partner of the PGA of America, organizer of the PGA Championship, supporting its efforts to grow interest and inclusion in the game of golf. Through this partnership Rolex is now present at all four men’s Majors, the pinnacle of achievement in the sport. Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, said: “We simply don’t sign agreements of this length and magnitude without supreme confi- The 2017 U.S. Open Erin Hills dence and comfort in our partner, which we certainly have with our friends US at Rolex. Their long-standing belief and support of golf has cultivated an aura of resiliency and trust within the game that is invaluable and, frankly, attractive for us to align with.” menu 1 2 3 4 5 rolex at the heart of golf 12 PARTNERSHIPS WITH PROFESSIONAL TOURS In 1980, Rolex partnered the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). The LPGA has grown from its roots as a playing tour into a non-profit organization involved in every facet of golf. Rolex and the LPGA have a mutual respect for tradition and champion integrity, distinction and world-class performance. In 2007, Rolex became an official sponsor of the men’s PGA TOUR® – the Florida-based tour organizer that co-sanctions more than 130 professional golf The 2018 Tour Championship tournaments in North America and around the world, East Lake Golf Club including THE PLAYERS Championship, the World Cup US of Golf, the FedExCup, with its three FedExCup play- offs, and the biennial Presidents Cup™.